Analysis: Sectional Title on Line as Marist, Marian Gird for Rematch

After suffering a December setback to the Spartans, the RedHawks feel like they're ready to turn the tables.

Marist and Marian Catholic are two teams that possess high-powered offenses and skilled defenses. Both have excellent forwards who can shoot from the outside and put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. The pretense for Thursday night's girls basketball sectional championship matchup at Lincoln-Way North has all the hallmarks of a classic. Simone Law leads the way for the Spartans. At 6-0, the senior forward and D-I recruit (Loyola) will be matched in the post by Marist's 6-1 junior center Asiana Bey. The Spartans are coming off a 72-58 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor. The RedHawks defeated Lincoln-Way East 52-38. When the teams met back in December, it was the Spartans winning by a count of 67-58. The two are long-time rivals …

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Girls Basketball: Marist Subdues L-Way East Attack

Marist 55, L-W East 38. RedHawks use dominant rebounding to cinch sectional semifinal win over Griffins.

The Hot Read: Marist defense was dominant in a 55-38 girls basketball victory over Lincoln-Way East in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Sectional on Monday night. The RedHawks held the Griffins to no field goals over a span of a quarter and a half, outscoring East 24-5 in that stretch. The Marist scoring spurt silenced a decidedly Griffin-friendly crowd. The RedHawk defense forced 16 turnovers and controlled the boards all night. Patch’s MVP: Marist's Asiana Bey finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Key Stats:  The Griffins may have been 17-of-25 from the freethrow line, but just 10-of-45 from the floor. The Redhawks pulled down 38 rebounds, 19 of which came on the offensive end. Marist also went 5-of-12 from the three-…

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Mass Graves, Scouts Swindled and Sliders

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

Thief Drains Boy Scout Troop's Bank Account Toddler Found Dead in New Lenox Township Cemetery President 'Surprised' by Sheriff’s Mass Graves Accusation Girls Basketball: Mother McAuley Ousts Oak Lawn It's What You Crave: The White Castle Debate (Video)

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Hoops: Give These Girls a High Five

Sports Editor Ron Kremer ranks the region's top girls basketball team's from 1-5, plus the five knocking on the door.

1. Marian Catholic (27-4): Four players scored in double figures in the Spartans’ 95-34 victory over Lincoln-Way Central, led by Jasmine Matthews’ 19 points. Next: Tonight vs. Providence in Class 4A Providence Catholic Regional final. 2. Lincoln-Way East (24-5): Griffins take care of business in 60-29 victory over Crete-Monee, but won’t get to battle vs. Sister School in regional final as Lincoln-Way North falls. Next: Tonight vs. T.F. South in Class 4A Crete-Monee Regional final. 3. Marist (25-5): RedHawks dispatch of Shepard 62-24 behind 13 points from Asiana Bey. Next: Tonight vs. Sandburg in Class 4A Shepard Regional final. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (21-7): Charnelle Reed, Danielle Woolfolk and Sydni Johnson advance in Three-Point Showdwon…

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Analysis: Tempo Key as Providence Prepares for No. 1 Seed Marian

The Celtics used tough defense and transition to create shots against Richards and will have to keep that up in the regional final.

Despite being the home team in Thursday's regional championship game, Providence Catholic is a big underdog. Marian Catholic, the No. 1 seed, put on a show in the semifinals Tuesday and made it clear that the Celtics will have anything but an advantage. Marian's 95-34 win against Lincoln-Way Central featured a physical game and the team turned Knights' turnovers into transition buckets. Providence Catholic beat Richards 47-37 on Tuesday using some fast-break scoring but also a great inside-out attack that got even better as the game went on. Tempo will be key in the regional final. "We have to play a certain rhythm," Providence coach Eileen Copenhaver said after the win against Richards. "I thought we did a good job on defense early and …

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Girls Basketball: Providence Tops Richards in Regional Semis

Providence Catholic 47, Richards 37. The Celtics' inside-out game was too much for the Bulldogs.

The Hot Read: Providence Catholic used its defense to bat a lot of balls early on and amass blocks and steals. That allowed the Celtics to run Richards and open up a 23-16 lead at the break. Providence senior Danielle Barry set the tone inside with five blocks and two steals. The Celtics used the pick and roll early and the inside game opened up shots for Providence that eventually started falling in the second half. Richards star Brianna LeBeau got looks, but like many of her teammates struggled from the field, shooting just 3-for-12. Patch’s MVP: Barry for her all-around performance. She led all scorers with with 16 points and added seven rebounds and five blocks. Honorable mention to the Celtics' Emily Persak, who buried Richards with …

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Extra Points: Richards Wins Bragging Rights ... and So Much More

Bulldogs' victory over crosstown rival Oak Lawn on Thursday night is extra sweet because it came with a conference championship.

Before tipoff of Thursday night’s crosstown showdown between Oak Lawn and Richards, the host Bulldogs celebrated Parents Night, as parents escorted the players onto the court. It was just the start of a night of celebrations for the Bulldogs. Richards’ 52-36 victory clinched the South Suburban Red crown for the Bulldogs, making it a most memorable night for seniors Raneisha Hill, Rachael Garner, Sommer Jones and Mary Kate Hresil. “We played three tough games this week against Reavis, Argo and Oak Lawn,” Richards coach Jeff Kortz said. “We fought hard to win the conference. Hats off to Oak Lawn’s seniors. They battled all game long. We’ll get ready for the playoffs now.” While the Richards seniors were celebrating, it was junior forward …

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Girls Basketball: Richards Routs Oak Lawn, Wins Conference Title

Richards 52, Oak Lawn 36. Brianna LeBeau leads the host Bulldogs past their crosstown rivals for the team's second consecutive South Suburban Red Conference crown.

The Hot Read: Brianna LeBeau scored seven first-quarter points to help the host Bulldogs jump out to a 19-8 advantage over the Spartans, and great defense by LeBeau, Raneisha Hill and Allison Stazak kept the Spartans from getting back in the game. Richards wrapped up a second consecutive South Suburban Red title with the victory over its crosstown rival. Patch’s MVP: LeBeau, a junior forward, scored a game-high 14 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Her defensive presence kept the Spartans out of their offensive tempo all night. Key Stats: Richards outscored Oak Lawn 31-24 in the first half. Stazak scored all of her nine points in the second half to help seal the victory. Richards’ Leaders: LeBeau (14 points, 12 rebounds), Hill (12 points…

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Hoops: Give These Girls a High Five

Sports Editor Ron Kremer ranks the top area girls basketball teams from 1-5, plus the five knocking on the door.

1. Marian Catholic (22-4): Spartans score sweep at Sweet 16 tourney, but blizzard puts ESCC title tilt vs. Fenwick on hold until Friday, Feb. 11. Next: Saturday at St. Viator. 2. Lincoln-Way East (19-5): Kelly McGovern (injury) is missed. But Caitlin McMahon and Taylor Johnson have picked up the slack for the Griffins. 3. Marist (22-4): Life is good. RedHawks dominate in win at Loyola. JeTaun Rouse scores 30 points in 80-43 victory over Johnsburg. Next: Saturday vs. Carmel. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (18-5): Vikings’ guard Charnelle Reed (17 points) shines in 54-45 victory over Lockport. Amena Brent (10 rebounds) makes an impact on the boards. 5. Andrew (19-2): Molly Franson continues to play more like a senior than a freshman. T-Bolts will …

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